TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGES
Introduction
Part A –
Features of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-
eating Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Hallmark features
o Anorexia Nervosa
o Bulimia Nervosa
o Binge-eating Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria
o Eating Habits
o Fear
o Compensatory Behaviors
o State of mind
Hallmark Features
Anorexia Nervosa
Excessive exercise
Depression, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder and
Personality Disorders
Cessation of menstruation
Strong need for control
Comparison of Hallmark features
Excessive exercise
Depression, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder and
Personality Disorders
Cessation of Menstruation
Strong need for control
Part B –
Discussion of Black South African Females lack of
“immunity” to eating disorders
4.1 What is body image
satisfaction/dissatisfaction
4.2 Factors that influence body image satisfaction
in black South African females
4.2.1 Cultural factors
Page | 1
, 4.2.2 Psychological factors
4.2.3 Social factors
4.3 Current research findings
4.4 Differentiation between Urban and Rural black
females body image perception
4.5 Factors affecting the development of eating
disorders
4.5.1 Socioeconomic Status
4.5.2 Ethnicity
4.5.3 Acculturation
4.5.4 Personality Traits
4.6 Recent research results
4.7Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
Feeding and eating disorders is regarded as a psychiatric disorder (APA, 2013), and
many societies especially in first world and westernised countries seem to have
individuals suffering from such disorders (Burke, A. et al,2019). This phenomenon has
become so common that just about everyone knows of someone who suffers from such
a disorder somehow. Literature has also indicated that these types of disorders are no
longer confine in western societies by Caucasians being the only people suffering from
them, but that people of colour including black people have been observed to also suffer
from such disorders. The topic discussed, will initially begin with the analysis of the
differentiation of the diagnostic criterion and hallmark features of the three types of
eating disorders namely; Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and lastly, Binge-eating
Disorder. The discussion will use Anorexia Nervosa as the main eating disorder to be
contrasted with Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-eating Disorder. The second aspect of the
discussion will be based upon South African Black females who are no longer perceived
to be ‘immune’ from eating disorders. Lastly, an in-depth contrast of the three
aforementioned eating disorders, including how black females have been susceptible to
these disorders in current society.
Anorexia Nervosa
This condition is defined as a medical condition characterised by the lack or loss of
appetite for food, an emotional disorder characterised by an obsessive desire to lose
weight by refusing to eat. The prevalence of the disorder is around 0.4 % and onset
being around the ages of 15 years and 19 years, onset after 40 years appears to be
Page | 2
Introduction
Part A –
Features of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-
eating Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Hallmark features
o Anorexia Nervosa
o Bulimia Nervosa
o Binge-eating Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria
o Eating Habits
o Fear
o Compensatory Behaviors
o State of mind
Hallmark Features
Anorexia Nervosa
Excessive exercise
Depression, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder and
Personality Disorders
Cessation of menstruation
Strong need for control
Comparison of Hallmark features
Excessive exercise
Depression, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder and
Personality Disorders
Cessation of Menstruation
Strong need for control
Part B –
Discussion of Black South African Females lack of
“immunity” to eating disorders
4.1 What is body image
satisfaction/dissatisfaction
4.2 Factors that influence body image satisfaction
in black South African females
4.2.1 Cultural factors
Page | 1
, 4.2.2 Psychological factors
4.2.3 Social factors
4.3 Current research findings
4.4 Differentiation between Urban and Rural black
females body image perception
4.5 Factors affecting the development of eating
disorders
4.5.1 Socioeconomic Status
4.5.2 Ethnicity
4.5.3 Acculturation
4.5.4 Personality Traits
4.6 Recent research results
4.7Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
Feeding and eating disorders is regarded as a psychiatric disorder (APA, 2013), and
many societies especially in first world and westernised countries seem to have
individuals suffering from such disorders (Burke, A. et al,2019). This phenomenon has
become so common that just about everyone knows of someone who suffers from such
a disorder somehow. Literature has also indicated that these types of disorders are no
longer confine in western societies by Caucasians being the only people suffering from
them, but that people of colour including black people have been observed to also suffer
from such disorders. The topic discussed, will initially begin with the analysis of the
differentiation of the diagnostic criterion and hallmark features of the three types of
eating disorders namely; Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and lastly, Binge-eating
Disorder. The discussion will use Anorexia Nervosa as the main eating disorder to be
contrasted with Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-eating Disorder. The second aspect of the
discussion will be based upon South African Black females who are no longer perceived
to be ‘immune’ from eating disorders. Lastly, an in-depth contrast of the three
aforementioned eating disorders, including how black females have been susceptible to
these disorders in current society.
Anorexia Nervosa
This condition is defined as a medical condition characterised by the lack or loss of
appetite for food, an emotional disorder characterised by an obsessive desire to lose
weight by refusing to eat. The prevalence of the disorder is around 0.4 % and onset
being around the ages of 15 years and 19 years, onset after 40 years appears to be
Page | 2
